subject of healthcare. he is a senior advisor and he has agreed to join us today. he will give a presentation and take some questions. welcome, tom daschle. [applause] >> byron, thank you for that generous introduction and thank you all for your warm reception this morning. i really appreciate the opportunity to be with you and to talk, as dennis has, about something we all care deeply about. i think it's appropriate that i'm the third in this line of midwestern speakers -- minnesota, north dakota, the gateway to south dakota and it's only appropriate that i come third. [laughter] dennis, byron, and i grew up in states where, in most of the communities, you put entering and leaving on the same post. most kids are about seven years old when they realize the name of their town is not "resume speed." we have a lot in common. you can understand why i'm as proud of dennis's work and commitment as i am this morning. i've known him for close to now 20 years and i had the good fortune to work very closely with him